Historic California Food-Processing and Packaging Company Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

C.C. Graber Company, Inc., the longtime operator of the historic Graber Olive House in Ontario, filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition on December 2, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Riverside Division.

The case is assigned to Judge Scott H. Yun. The bankruptcy petition lists attorney Rebekah Parker as counsel for the company.

Founded in 1894, Graber Olive House is known as Ontario’s oldest existing business, producing hand-cured, fully tree-ripened olives, according to the company’s website. Its offerings also include estate-pressed olive oil, balsamic vinegars, tapenades, and a branded apparel line.

According to Official Form 201, Graber identifies itself as a corporation with its principal place of business at 301 E. 4th Street, Ontario.

The company reports significant unsecured amounts to lenders, vendors, utilities, tax agencies, and service providers, according to PACER.

The creditor list includes state tax agencies, the California Department of Public Health, the San Bernardino County Tax Collector, the U.S. Small Business Administration, insurers, packaging suppliers, contractors, and service providers.

The family stakeholders, including Clifford and Maura Graber and Robert and Kelsey Graber, are listed in the bankruptcy filing as equity security holders.

According to the filing, the company has no pending lawsuits, environmental claims, or government investigations.

• Type of Filing: Voluntary Petition for Non-Individuals Filing for Bankruptcy 
• Chapter: 11
• Case Number: 6:25-bk-18678-SY
• Estimated Assets: Less than $50,000
• Estimated Liabilities: Between $500,001 and $1 million
• Reason for Filing: Imbalance in assets and liabilities, pandemic-related loss, and withdrawal of a potential investor.

Graber Olive House’s Financial Troubles

Graber Olive House faced multiple hardships over the past several years, with its operations slowing down during the pandemic, CBS News reported in September 2025. This was followed by a major crop failure that impacted its business.

These issues prompted the business to take loans and seek financial support. However, increasing expenses and declining output created long-term financial instability, according to the CBS News report. 

The company faced another setback recently when a major investor reportedly pulled out of the business, leaving it without the required capital needed to keep the operations running.

Graber Olive House is currently managed by fourth-generation operators Robert and Kelsey Graber, alongside third-generation operators Cliff and Maura Graber.